New Zealand’s Capital Braces for Massive Swells as Evacuations Ordered

Authorities in Wellington, New Zealand’s capital, issued evacuation orders on Monday for low-lying coastal areas and suspended Cook Strait ferry services, as forecasters warned of dangerous swells reaching up to 10.5 meters.

A state of emergency was declared for the city’s southern and eastern suburbs. Civil Defense issued a mandatory evacuation for waterfront properties in Owhiro Bay, Island Bay, Houghton Bay, and Breaker Bay, effective from 9 a.m. local time on Tuesday.

“We recommend that residents of waterfront properties in these suburbs stay somewhere else tonight,” Wellington City Council said in a statement.

MetService reported that a strong southerly weather system would bring combined waves of 9.5 to 10.5 meters across the Cook Strait from late Monday through Wednesday morning, with the worst conditions expected late Tuesday morning.

Officials urged the public to stay away from beaches and coastal roads due to risks of flooding, floating debris, and powerful wave surges.

Experts warned that these long-period swells could cause far more severe coastal damage than the 2020 storm, which had waves of 5.5 meters and triggered widespread evacuations. Residents are advised to prepare and follow official instructions closely.